Metro Manila single ticketing system OK’d

MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Manila Council (MMC) yesterday approved the implementation of the single ticketing system.

Seventeen Metro Manila mayors approved Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Resolution No. 23-02, which provides the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023.

At a press briefing yesterday, MMC chairman and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said the local government units of Metro Manila are given until March 15 to pass their respective ordinances regarding the order.

They are also eyeing the single ticketing system to be in effect by April.

Zamora said the approval of the Metro Manila Traffic Code will be a “great help” for motorists.

“[Erring motorists] no longer need to go to the city hall to redeem their license. They can pay the fine wherever they are in the Philippines,” Zamora told reporters in Filipino.

“It will also be a good help for our countrymen, especially with the standardization of our fines. They will not be confused with the fines anymore because the rates will be the same across the cities,” he added.

In a statement, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023 “provides for a system of interconnectivity among government instrumentalities involved in the transport and traffic management in the metropolis with harmonized fines and penalties.” It will be endorsed to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and local city councils for adoption.

“This is a historic moment for all of us because after more than 20 years, Metro Manila is finally adopting the single ticketing system that will highly benefit our motorists,” Artes said.

“The single ticketing system would help avoid confusion among our driving public, as well as the option to pay electronically for their violations. Driver’s license will also not be confiscated during apprehension,” he added. 

The Metro Manila Traffic Code listed disregarding traffic signs, illegal parking, number coding, truck ban, light truck ban, reckless driving, unregistered motor vehicle, driving without license, tricycle ban, obstruction, dress code for motorcycle, overloading, defective motorcycle accessories, unauthorized modification, arrogance/discourteous conduct of the driver, loading and unloading in prohibited zones, illegal counterflow and speeding as the most common traffic violation penalties.

Special laws, such as the Seat Belts Use Act of 1999, Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act, Mandatory Use of Motorcycle Helmet Act, Children’s Safety on Motorcycle Act, Anti-Distracted Driving Act and the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act were also named in the Metro Manila Traffic Code.

Artes said the MMDA will purchase the equipment or the hardware and IT requirements needed for seamless and simultaneous rollout of the integration with the LTO’s Land Transportation Management System.